Demonheart: The Cursed Trial

Mystery romance VN, female protagonist · By Rolling Crown

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Ch 3- Well, that escalated quickly.

A topic by WisdomDragon created Nov 05, 2023 Views: 434 Replies: 11

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WisdomDragon184 days ago(+3)

I have lots of thoughts and need a second playthrough to help sort them, but I wanted to say well done on that chapter, Lamb.

Also, I'm putting on a tin foil hat and starting a conspiracy theory that (first person dead) is not actually dead. They used their own knife to damage their clothes, then used a pile of ash from the various campfires that have been in use to fake their deaths, which is why there's no blood or burn damage on the clothes. Takes the heat off them (pun wasn't meant, but I'll leave it) so potential hunters aren't targeting them; and Raze's subsequent vague and promised "unhelpful" comments about the numbers not changing and all three being present is because (supposed first dead) was skulking in the shadows to see how things would unfold. They'll pop up some time in the future, much to the surprise of all; or they're going to potentially walk out after the seven days are up and it's safe to come out of hiding.

Lastly, Leona needs to learn the concept of consent and safewords because nearly severing someone's spine and then chaining them to a cold wall is not a good example to be setting. Shame on the knights for not teaching her the ethics of kink but letting her walk around with weapons and permission to restrain people. She's getting reported if she doesn't end up dead by the end of this.

theredwoman184 days ago

I actually agree on the conspiracy theory front. That knife is such a Chekov's gun, and I already thought that person might be linked to the stuff that mysteriously appeared in the morning. My back-up theory, which is probably more likely, is that a certain possessive someone targeted them to become a demonheart so they could protect someone else. Though now I've just typed that, I realise it describes two different groups, so I'll say it's not the group suspected in the chapter. I find that person surprisingly untrustworthy, although maybe that's because I kept pursuing Kaiser.

And thoughts on a certain someone at the end? The last conversation between the Master and Raze implies they're not a demonheart, which I seriously thought they were even after someone self-confessed. Specifically, that the self-confessor was the actual killer getting away with it while they were one of the starting demonhearts. Hell, maybe that still is the case and they're just being creepy for the hell of it, certainly their other partner this chapter had their moments too. I had a fair bit of approval from that person right at the end, I think, though it'd be nice if we could visualise it somewhere (I thought that was an option but couldn't find it?). I'll be curious to see how differently they behave on a full disapproval run, that's for sure.

Rolling CrownDeveloper184 days ago

There's no visual tracking of approval other than the notifications that appear when it changes (and they don't always appear because some of it is supposed to be a secret.) Each character so far has different possible values. You can get a lot of negative points with Kaisar, while Ran mostly gets positive shifts. :')

theredwoman184 days ago

Ah, I suspected the absence was to prevent spoilers, so that's fair enough! I'll definitely see how much I can make Kaisar hate me in my next run, I'm very curious to see how that might change chapter 3.

WisdomDragon184 days ago(+1)

The very end is why I need to play again and fiddle around with different choices. I was playing this round as Tactful Good. Not overly flirty/blushing with anyone because death game in progress is not really the time for hookups; and all around nice to all, even those I think are sus so as not to prematurely tip them off. It *seemed* like it was going well. So the last sequence of events went by in a flash of curveballs blindsiding me and now I'm not as sure what to think on who the original third demonheart was.

As for the self confessor- the first game taught me never trust their type because they may be a conniving hunter waiting to pounce. So... if my conspiracy is wrong (and the theory admittedly is a stretch, but I don't want to admit that character is dead in such an abrupt off screen fashion), it's possible the confessor is the killer, and potentially working with an accomplice or two for mutual gain. But that expectation of "don't trust this obvious parallel to a character from the original game" can always be subverted and it's possible they've been the third all along. I'll have more theories when I've played through a few more times to absorb the general plot completely and see the variations on events.

theredwoman183 days ago

I was good, about equally tactful/defiant, so I agree that the different choices seem very interesting here. In fairness, I didn't think the trial would go that bad until it did, but I was seriously considering throwing that possessive person under the bus, especially since our main partner in chapter 3 didn't seem to think it was a bad idea. The scene after the victim's body is found just felt like they were going off the rails, especially since my character was quite friendly to both of the other characters in that scene. Hell, even the Master suggests as much at the end of the chapter.

I completely agree on the confessor though, especially since they seem close to a certain pair of characters who are both quite stubborn. I could see them deciding to protect the confessor, especially since otherwise suspicion falls on the protag and someone who people really don't want to risk a fight against (as shown by how poorly that goes). But, in terms of accomplices, it also seems very strange that someone, who has otherwise been very stubborn about the demonhearts, is suddenly ignoring the confessor as a demonheart and doesn't even imprison them? I really don't feel like I can rule that third person out because it feels like a sudden lack of vigour from someone not known for it, especially when the confessor doesn't really have an alibi since their companion was sleeping the entire night.

WisdomDragon183 days ago (1 edit)

There's definitely a messy intersection of motivations/agendas happening during the trial. Even doing a second playthrough of chapter 3, I'm confused on why certain things happen. As for Leona, it's entirely possible she's behaving the way she is towards protag and not the self confessor out of the very simple human motivation of jealousy and self preservation. She's very self-righteous and most everyone doesn't trust and/or respect her. Depending on how you play protag, others don't have many issues with them. And Ran, who she clearly views as *her*ally and maybe she wants more, obviously has a thing. Might be jealousy of the simple peasant girl is clouding her judgment; but then self confessor did the confessing after she's already been brutal, so she realizes she can't keep doing the vicious zealot things without someone having enough of her behavior and kills her while she sleeps, so she opts for the less tyrant option with them in hopes to stave off assassination attempts.

BTW- You should check out what happens if you choose to attack the stubborn duo who are so friendly with the self confessor. The end result drastically narrows down possible scenarios happening and bolsters a few potential theories.

Edit- just realized you mentioning how poorly a fight can go indicates you've tried that option. So yeah. One of the duo might be a "demon strumpet" and the other was taken in by their act, or it's a red herring to throw off suspicion from the real third demonheart.

WisdomDragon183 days ago

Speed ran more playthroughs with the skip button, including an evil/defiant run and trying the other attack option during the trial. If the conspiracy theory is not true, I know who the three current demonhearts are because they are the only ones, outside the protag herself that we obviously know is a demonheart, who don't potentially die and stay dead during one of the fights. The questions become which one of the other two killed someone to become a demonheart themselves and why, and which was already a demonheart from the start.

Also, it'd be nice if there was an option to offer to take the blood test and be crafty about deceiving the others by continually renewing the injury to make it seem like there was normal healing time needed. Or to bring up that someone else could do so, thereby making it pointless unless everyone stays in each other's presence 24/7 to watch for subversion; which also means no one gets anything done and we're all stuck tolerating each other without relent. Anything to throw some doubt on the process, if that's the route a player wanted to go down, besides flat out refusal to play along. But that's probably too much variation to try accounting for in game path layout.

Anyway, this has been interesting to explore. Still have lots of questions as to why the event was orchestrated by the "master" to begin with (outside the fact he's an evil sadist with a penchant for toying with people), what Raze's promised "reward" is for helping the master/why he's playing along with any level of faith he won't get backstabbed later on, and what the various companions' motivations are to act like they have been because they're still ultimately strangers to the protag and we can't discern much as it is. Hopeful for chapter 4 to start giving some clues to puzzle this out further.

Rolling CrownDeveloper183 days ago(+2)

I've been thinking of ways someone could cheat the "test of blood", but not the protagonist, because certain things needed to happen.
As for answers about Raze, I was planning to leave it for later, when more characters die and you don't have anyone to talk to :')

WisdomDragon183 days ago

Ha! Fair enough all around. There's always going to be a thousand "what if this could happen" scenarios someone might think up to circumvent or delay drama, but a story does need to unfold and conflict keeps things spicy. The trying to cheat on the test thing was just something to strike me as a thing at least one or two might attempt to whatever degree of success or failure because most people are unwilling but fell back on the "you'll just have to trust me that it's not me" response.

And always happy for some Raze screen time, and it seems like he needs an actual friend. Could be good for him, so fingers crossed maybe he might participate in some real chat with protag, not just his blustering to hide his insecurities, if the right options get picked.

Rolling CrownDeveloper184 days ago

Thank you :)

daisydragon182 days ago(+3)

I am so completely diverted by this game. I'm really enjoying it.

I do not trust our handsome guard. I never did, but especially after his behaviour this chapter. I'm team Kaiser, 100%. I don't care if he's a knife wielding, tongue sticking out, shady individual. I think he's watching everyone VERY closely and has been from the beginning. I like that. He's also smart. Another bonus. I think he needs a friend, and I'm a sucker for a villain type that I feel needs a hug. lol

I like the conspiracy theory, and that was my first explanation. To me it makes sense. Then again, I also thought about the end and that moment of kindness from the guard, and wonder when they had the time/opportunity to get the item that was involved in said kindness. (Trying not to spoil is hard!) Since I know where I saw said item.

I also noticed that certain people manipulate the hell out of others. Kaiser being the obvious one, but he is not alone.
I do not want to wait for chapter four. -makes grabby hands at more chapters-

I do hope at some point we can take a stand and pick ONE of the love interests, just to see the reaction of the other one. What can I say? I like drama. :)

Fantastic writing. I am enjoying, as mentioned a few times. :)

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Demonheart: The Cursed Trial

Ch 3- Well, that escalated quickly.